Themes of the conference
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Theme 1
Active Materials & Supply Chain
This theme covers all aspects of battery active materials supply chains for Li-ion and beyond Li-ion technologies from mining through to synthesis to performance in a battery cell.
We invite applications for talks and posters on the development of global battery supply chains from virgin raw materials to recycled active materials, as well as discussions on Life Cycle Analysis studies of battery active material supply chains. Also included in the scope will be talks on new methods of sustainable material synthesis, processing parameters and surface engineering.
Theme 2
New Battery Chemistries and Interfaces
Boosting the energy density of existing Li-ion batteries requires the investigation of new battery chemistries and materials to increase the capacity of electrodes, and enhance the cell voltage, C-rate, and electrode lifetime. Some of these gains will be achieved by modifying the electrode/electrolyte interface. Insights are needed in both fundamental understanding and engineering advances. This theme intends to provide a forum for the dissemination of new advances and development in but not limited to next-generation Li-ion batteries, Na-ion/K-ion/multivalent ion batteries, solid-state batteries, and metal batteries. The theme focuses on the follow aspects:
- Materials discovery of cathodes and anodes
- Mechanisms of charge storage in cathodes and anodes
- Mechanisms of metal plating and stripping
- Impact of the electrode/electrolyte interface
- Innovations in electrolytes including conventional liquid and solid-state electrolytes
Theme 3
Battery Modelling
The development and use of new modelling methods is fundamental to our ability to accelerate innovation from early cell development, through to the integration of cells into systems and their final deployment. The session will explore recent advances that demonstrate the value that modelling methods and tools bring across the entire battery ecosystem focussing on the interface between scientific discovery, engineering and manufacturing. Key areas explored include:
- Models for system monitoring, control and state estimation
- Data driven (machine learning) and physics-based modelling methods for improved battery performance and life prediction
- Novel experimental methods for improved model parameterisation and validation
- Modelling the interface between cell manufacturing and performance
- The use of modelling and simulation tools to support novel concepts in battery design
Theme 4
Electrode Manufacturing
Manufacturing of battery electrodes is a cornerstone of energy storage innovation and battery cell development. This session will delve into the intricate processes and challenges involved in electrode manufacturing and development, through exploration of its scientific, engineering, and industrial dimensions. The theme will focus on how scientific and engineering understanding can be used to optimise electrode interfaces at all levels to ensure best performance in cell, from lab scale to full production.
The theme will look to encompass critical aspects of slurry based and dry electrode manufacture, for both liquid and solid-state electrolyte systems. It will consider aspects such as (but not limited to) formulation and additives, understanding and development of mixing, coating, drying and calendaring technologies and their effects on electrode structure and performance. It will further consider electrode influence on critical parameters such as electrolyte wetting/ penetration and formation, along with influences of non-active components such as current collectors.
Theme 5
Advanced Characterisation and Degradation
A thorough understanding of degradation and failure mechanisms in battery systems is critical for developing effective countermeasures to mitigate these issues and extend battery life. These mechanisms result from a wide variety of structural and morphological changes occurring across multiple scales within the system, often intertwined in complex ways that make them challenging to investigate. Addressing this requires a comprehensive suite of advanced characterisation techniques, such as those available at central facilities. This session will explore a diverse range of characterisation approaches and the strategies used to establish degradation mechanism in battery systems. Topics will include in situ/operando methods, software and simulation tools, and advanced electrochemical techniques. Additionally, optimised methods for tracking battery health throughout its effective lifetime will be discussed.
Theme 6
Advances in Recycling and Reuse
This session will provide an overview of the current global and national battery recycling industry. New and improved strategies for recycling battery components will be explored, focussing on non-active materials with greater challenges for recovery such as electrolytes, hard carbon and binders, seeking to identify solutions for adoption.
The session will cover advances in physical separation, methods of making recycling processes safer, minimising waste and boosting efficiency. In addition, the session will consider to how overcome the challenges in the recycling of next-generation chemistries and larger cell formats.
Theme 7
Battery Safety and Abuse
This themed session will span many aspects that are critical to Li and Na-ion battery safety. The core themes will encompass characterisation, testing and forensic approaches – this includes operando methods and includes early detection of failure modes. The session will also include discussion of materials and component improvements that are designed to improve safety and mitigate failure. Policy and regulation will be included as well as more technical considerations along with key aspects relevant to fire services.
Theme 8
Facing up to the Battery Skills Challenge
Join this panel of experts to explore the skills shortage in the battery sector and how interdisciplinary skills and/or government policies will support industry needs in advancing battery technological innovations. The session will also shed light on how industry-academia collaborations can be optimised to address these gaps as we transition towards net-zero.
Theme 9
Battery Roadmaps
This final session will showcase the battery future development from an academic, government and industry lens, covering EU, Asia and US if possible, and will:
- Set the scene with UK battery landscape, cross sector demand and development targets
- Cover new developments driven by regulations (Rules of Origin, EU passport)
- Discuss EU opportunities and shine a focus on possible future developments
Theme 10
From Innovation to Market
For battery research to have a real world impact it needs researchers, leaders, business people and entrepreneurs who can put breakthroughs on a path to commercialisation. In this session invited speakers will discuss their inspirational journeys from research lab to successful spin out companies in the battery space. They will highlight the challenges they faced along the way, how they were overcome, their motivations and rewards, and the importance of the help they received.
